THE MAN Who Tried to Save Her

A YOUNG MUSICIAN SOUGHT TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE PERFORMER'S LIFE SIX MONTHS BEFORE HER DEATH

- Lindsay Hoffman

In early 1969, Judy Garland appeared at London’s Talk of the Town for a five-week residency. “She came most profoundly alive before an audience,” wrote musician John Meyer to a friend. “It’s paradoxical and a little distressing to think she could share her most intimate self with 3,000 strangers and yet not with one special someone.”

Six months earlier, John, then 28, met Judy at the home of a mutual pal in New York. Despite an 18-year age gap, the pair became friends, confidants and lovers at a time when the great performer needed help most. John’s devotion, however, wouldn’t be enough to save her life.